civil religion

civil religion

President Obama continues the use of explicit religious language in his speeches as many of his predecessors did in the 20th century. But should it be alarming when he's referred to as Pastor in Chief?

Last weekend, as the nation marked the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, our collective media gaze focused on lower Manhattan, where the memorial service and dedication led by Mayor Michael Bloomberg had already provoked controversy. Though the focal point of these events was undoubtedly — and rightfully — on remembering those lost, that controversy was a revealing glimpse of contemporary American religion.